The Southern Citizen Rescue Expedition of 1861-1865

I enjoy looking at history from different angles, and I’ve actually been thinking about the Southern Unionists thing in a different way. Interestingly, in a ListServ discussion today (I know, Kevin, I still haven’t learned my lesson), it came to mind once again. It might seem trivial to some, but I don’t necessarily believe it falls under the “what if” column of alternative history. So, here’s the thought. Since the move toward secession in the South was made without the overall consent of the people, then what percent of the people were actually among the oppressed? 60% or more, perhaps? If some want to play the “War of Northern Aggression” card… think about this… after Sumter was fired upon and the call for troops was made by Lincoln, why don’t we start looking at the war that follows as a war to remove the real “despot’s heel” of the Confederacy from the neck of the common people? Seems like we could just as easily call the war “The Southern Citizen Rescue Expedition”… or maybe “The Southern Citizen Liberation Expedition.” In the end, we have a rescue operation of sorts. Of course, the problem is that the operation did end up swaying the opinions of several Unionists and leave-aloners against the “liberation force.” But then, I’ve also seen where Confederate conscription patrols ended up sending leave-aloners over the edge to the point that they enlisted in the Union army.

Nothing too heavy today, just a quick thought for looking at history in a different way…